3 years for medical school in Ft. Smith to support self

FORT SMITH, AR (AP) - Health officials say a proposed medical school in Fort Smith would need three years before becoming financially self-supporting.

The Fort Smith Regional Healthcare Foundation revealed plans last week for what it calls the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine on 200 acres of donated land in Fort Smith and Barling.

Foundation Chairman Kyle Parker told the Times Record that the board has committed about $58 million to cover costs during the college's first three years. He says that after three years there should be enough students to support the college - based on an annual tuition of about $45,000.

He said the proposed college would enroll 150 students per year for a total of 600 students and that the first students could begin class in August 2017.

Information from: Southwest Times Record

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